Re-sealable packages with independently peelable lidding member portions

ABSTRACT

Improved packages and methods for constructing packages are provided that are designed such that the user can peel back a lidding member of the package to reveal an independently peelable portion covering one of the compartments. The independently peelable portion is a layer of the lidding member that maintains the respective compartment in an unopened (sealed) condition until the user independently peels that layer off to access the items in that compartment. The lidding member can be used to re-seal all of the compartments before and/or after the independently peelable portion is removed. The independently peelable portion may include a visual indication of a sealed condition of the compartment that serves as a tamper evidence feature. In multiple-compartment packages, peeling back the lidding member allows the user to access some of the compartments of the package, while at least one of the compartments remains sealed via the independently peelable portion.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates in general to packages for products, andmore particularly to structures for sealing and/or resealing packages.The disclosure is especially concerned with single- andmultiple-compartment packages that include laminate structures designedto allow at least one of the compartments to be opened in stages, forexample, in some embodiments allowing one of multiple compartments to beopened independently of other compartments of the same packages and/orproviding evidence of tampering.

Certain types of products are often consumed together. For example,different food products are frequently paired when eaten. Consumersoften eat dips (e.g., cheese dip, artichoke dip, hummus, salsa, etc.)using another food (e.g., chips, crackers, vegetables, bread). Becausethese food pairings are typically eaten together (e.g., one would nottypically eat salsa by itself, but rather would eat salsa with chips), aconsumer may wish to purchase the foods together, such as during thesame visit to a grocery store. At the same time, the foods involved maybe different types of foods which are best stored separately and/or indifferent types of packages, such as foods including liquid components(e.g., the dips) and foods including solid or dry components (e.g.,bread, crackers, or chips).

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention described herein provide improved packagesand methods for constructing packages that allow the user to open thepackage as a whole by lifting off a lidding member, but further allowthe user to independently open a compartment of the package subsequentto lifting off the lidding member using an independently peelableportion of a layer of the lidding member that maintains the givencompartment in a sealed state even after the lidding member hasinitially been peeled. In this way, a visual indication that acompartment is sealed may be provided on the independently peelableportion, such that removal of the independently peelable portion (whichserves to initially open the compartment) can be visually recognized bythe user, even after the lidding member has been resealed to the packageto close the compartment. Moreover, multiple compartments may beprovided in the package, with the compartments being independentlyopenable, such that different types of goods (e.g., wet versus dry) maybe stored in the same package, but may be accessible to the userindependently of each other, as described in greater detail below.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, a package is provided that comprises abase member defining a first compartment and a second compartment and alidding member configured to cover the first and second compartments.The base member may comprise a sealing surface at least partially aroundeach of the first and second compartments. The lidding member maycomprise a first layer and a second layer laminated to the first layervia an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer comprises at least apressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) in a perimeter region of the liddingmember. Upon initial peeling of the lidding member away from the basemember, an adhered portion of the first layer aligned with the firstcompartment may be configured to be peeled away with the second layer toprovide access to the first compartment, while an independently peelableportion of the first layer aligned with the second compartment may beconfigured to separate from the second layer and remain attached to thesealing surface of the base member around the second compartment tomaintain the second compartment in a sealed configuration. Theindependently peelable portion of the first layer may be configured tobe peeled away from the base member independently of the adhered portionof the first layer to provide access to the second compartmentsubsequent to peeling away of the second layer. The lidding member maybe configured to be re-sealable to the base member via the PSA in theperimeter region of the lidding member to re-close both the first andthe second compartments for storing items therein.

In some embodiments, the independently peelable portion of the firstlayer may be heat sealed to the sealing surface of the base memberaround a perimeter of the second compartment. The independently peelableportion of the first layer may be defined by a cut line that extendsthrough the first layer. Additionally, the cut line may further define apull tab of the independently peelable portion of the first layer thatis configured to be grippable by a user for peeling away theindependently peelable portion from the base member.

The adhered portion of the first layer may be defined by a cut line thatextends through the first layer. The adhesive layer may, in some cases,comprise an area void of adhesive between the second layer and theindependently peelable portion of the first layer. Additionally oralternatively, the adhesive layer may comprise an area of permanentadhesive between the second layer and the adhered portion of the firstlayer.

In some cases, the independently peelable portion may comprise a visualindication of a sealed state of the second compartment, such that, uponremoval of the independently peelable portion from the base member, thevisual indication of the sealed state of the second compartment isremoved.

In other embodiments, a package is provided that comprises a base memberdefining a compartment, where the base member comprises a sealingsurface formed by an inner flange and an outer flange, and where thesealing surface defines a channel between the inner flange and the outerflange. The outer flange may define an exterior edge. The package mayfurther comprise a lidding member configured to cover the compartment,and the lidding member may comprise a first layer and a second layerlaminated to the first layer via an adhesive layer. The adhesive layermay comprise at least a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) in a perimeterregion of the lidding member aligned with the outer flange.

Upon initial peeling of the lidding member away from the base member, anadhered portion of the first layer aligned with the channel may beconfigured to be peeled away with the second layer while anindependently peelable portion of the first layer aligned with thecompartment may be configured to separate from the second layer andremain attached to the inner flange of the sealing surface of the basemember to maintain the compartment in a sealed configuration. Theindependently peelable portion of the first layer may be configured tobe peeled away from the inner flange of the sealing surface of the basemember independently of the adhered portion of the first layer toprovide access to the compartment subsequent to peeling away of thesecond layer, and the lidding member may be configured to be re-sealableto at least the outer flange of the sealing surface of the base membervia the PSA in the perimeter region of the lidding member to re-closethe compartment for storing items therein.

In some cases, the independently peelable portion of the first layer maybe heat sealed to the inner flange of the sealing surface of the basemember around a perimeter of the compartment. The independently peelableportion of the first layer may be defined by a cut line that extendsthrough the first layer and is disposed proximate an outer edge of theinner flange. The cut line may further define a pull tab of theindependently peelable portion of the first layer that is configured tobe grippable by a user for peeling away the independently peelableportion from the base member.

The adhered portion of the first layer may be defined by two cut linesthat extend through the first layer and are disposed proximatecorresponding edges of the channel defined by the sealing surface of thebase member. The adhesive layer may comprise an area void of adhesivebetween the second layer and the independently peelable portion of thefirst layer. Additionally or alternatively, the adhesive layer maycomprise an area of permanent adhesive between the second layer and theadhered portion of the first layer.

In some cases, the independently peelable portion may comprise a visualindication of a sealed state of the compartment, such that, upon removalof the independently peelable portion from the base member, the visualindication of the sealed state of the compartment is removed.

In still other embodiments, a method of manufacturing a package isprovided. According to embodiments of the method, a base member having acompartment is formed, the base member comprising a sealing surface. Alidding member configured to cover the compartment is also formed bylaminating a first layer to a second layer via an adhesive layer, wherethe adhesive layer comprises at least a pressure sensitive adhesive(PSA) in a perimeter region of the lidding member. A cut line is createdthrough the first layer such that the cut line defines an adheredportion of the first layer configured to be peeled away with the secondlayer and an independently peelable portion of the first layerconfigured to separate from the second layer and remain attached to thesealing surface of the base member to maintain the compartment in asealed configuration. The lidding member may be heat sealed to the basemember at a location corresponding to the perimeter region, such thatthe lidding member covers the compartment and maintains the item withinthe base member. The independently peelable portion of the first layermay be configured to be peeled away from the sealing surface of the basemember independently of the adhered portion of the first layer toprovide access to the compartment subsequent to peeling away of thesecond layer, and the lidding member may be configured to be re-sealableto the sealing surface of the base member via the PSA in the perimeterregion of the lidding member to re-close the compartment for storingitems therein.

In some cases, forming the base member may comprise forming a basemember further having first and second compartments, wherein the liddingmember is configured to cover the first and second compartments. In suchcases, the adhered portion of the first layer may be aligned with thefirst compartment and may be configured to be peeled away with thesecond layer to provide access to the first compartment, while theindependently peelable portion of the first layer may be aligned withthe second compartment and may be configured to separate from the secondlayer and remain attached to the sealing surface of the base memberaround the second compartment to maintain the second compartment in asealed configuration.

In other embodiments, forming the base member may comprise defining aninner flange and an outer flange of the sealing surface by defining achannel in the sealing surface between the inner and outer flanges. Insuch cases, the adhered portion of the first layer may be aligned withthe channel and may be configured to be peeled away with the secondlayer, while the independently peelable portion of the first layer maybe aligned with the compartment and may be configured to separate fromthe second layer and remain attached to the inner flange of the sealingsurface of the base member to maintain the compartment in a sealedconfiguration. The method in such cases may further comprise heatsealing the independently peelable portion of the first layer to theinner flange of the sealing surface of the base member around aperimeter of the compartment.

In still other cases, the method may further comprise applying a visualindication of a sealed state of the compartment on the independentlypeelable portion, such that, upon removal of the independently peelableportion from the base member, the visual indication of the sealed stateof the compartment is removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference willnow be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a multiple-compartment package with abase member and a lidding member in the closed position according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the multiple-compartment package ofFIG. 1A according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a multiple-compartment package with thelidding member peeled away from the base member according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the multiple-compartment package ofFIG. 2A according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a multiple-compartment package with anindependently peelable portion of the lidding member peeled away fromthe base member according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the multiple-compartment package ofFIG. 3A according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3C is another cross-sectional view of the multiple-compartmentpackage of FIG. 3A, through the pull tab, according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a multiple-compartment package with thelidding member re-sealed to the base member after the independentlypeelable portion has been removed according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the multiple-compartment package ofFIG. 4A according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a single-compartment package with abase member and a lidding member in the closed position according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the single-compartment package ofFIG. 5A according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a single-compartment package with thelidding member peeled away from the base member according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the single-compartment package ofFIG. 6A according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a single-compartment package with anindependently peelable portion of the lidding member peeled away fromthe base member according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the single-compartment package ofFIG. 7A according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a single-compartment package with thelidding member re-sealed to the base member after the independentlypeelable portion has been removed according to an example embodiment;and

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the single-compartment package ofFIG. 8A according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings in which some but not allembodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As noted above, some types of items that are sold in packages are meantto be or are commonly used with other items conventionally sold inseparate packages. With respect to food items, for example, one type offood may be paired for consumption with another type of food. Examplesmay include chips and salsa, or pita and hummus.

Although such items (food or non-food) may be commonly used or consumedtogether, as a pair, the paired items may have differentcharacteristics, such that storage in the same conventional package maycause one or both items to deteriorate or lose consumer appeal. Forexample, because chips are dry, salty food items, one would nottypically store chips in the same package as salsa because the moistureof the salsa may affect the freshness, texture, and taste of the chips(and vice versa).

In addition, a consumer of food and non-food items often appreciateshaving some indication that the contents of the package he or she isabout to purchase has not been tampered with by a previous consumer orperson handling the package.

Moreover, consumers often do not consume the entire contents of apackage at one time. For example, a container of salsa may be opened tobe consumed with chips, but the consumer may only consume a quarter ofjar in one sitting. Thus, resealability of the packages in such casesmay be helpful for storing any remaining contents of a partially usedpackage of goods.

Through ingenuity and hard work, the inventor has thus developed single-and multiple-compartment packages that provide a single lidding memberwith multiple layers that are configured to allow the package to beopened in stages.

With respect to embodiments of the package having multiple compartments,for example, as described in greater detail below, the user can accessone or more of the compartments by peeling back the lidding member;however, a layer of the lidding member will maintain at least one of thecompartments in an unopened condition until the user independently peelsthat layer off to access the items in that compartment. In some cases,the second layer to be removed may include a visual indication of asealed condition of the compartment, such that by removing that secondlayer, the indication of being sealed will also be removed, providingthe consumer with a visual indication that the respective compartmentwas previously accessed. At the same time, the lidding member may beused to reseal all of the compartments via pressure sensitive adhesive(PSA). Embodiments of a multiple-compartment package are illustrated inFIGS. 1A-4B and are described in greater detail below.

With respect to embodiments of the package having a single compartmentfor the storage of goods, as also described in greater detail below, theuser can initially open the package by peeling back the lidding member.In this case, a layer of the lidding member having a visual indicationof a sealed condition of the compartment will maintain the compartmentin an unopened condition until the user independently peels that layeroff to access the items therein. In removing that layer, the indicationof being sealed will also be removed, providing the consumer with avisual indication that the compartment was previously accessed. Again,the lidding member may be used to reseal the compartment via pressuresensitive adhesive (PSA). Embodiments of a single-compartment packageare illustrated in FIGS. 5A-8B and are described in greater detailbelow.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-4B, a multiple-compartment package 10 is shownin accordance with embodiments of the present invention. With referenceto FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example, the package 10 includes a base member12 that defines two first compartments 14 and a second compartment 16.In some embodiments, however, the base member 12 may include a total oftwo compartments (one first compartment 14 and one second compartment16), whereas in other embodiments the base member may include four ormore total compartments (one or more being first compartments 14 and oneor more being second compartments 16), depending on the type of productsheld therein and other practical, marketing, and/or manufacturingconsiderations. Each compartment may be configured to hold an item.Using food items as an example, one of the first compartments 14 mayhold one flavor of chips; the second compartment 16 may hold a cheesedip; and the other first compartment 14 may hold another flavor ofchips. The food items are not shown in the figures for the sake ofclarity. Moreover, it is understood that although the example of chipsand dip is used to explain embodiments of the present invention, thebase member 12 may be configured to hold a variety of food items as wellas non-food items.

The package 10 further includes a lidding member 20 that is configuredto cover the first and second compartments 14, 16. The lidding member 20may comprise a first layer 22 and a second layer 24 that is laminated tothe first layer via an adhesive layer 26. The adhesive layer 26 mayinclude at least a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) in a perimeterregion 28 of the lidding member 20.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the package 10 is shown in an initially sealedstate, in which the lidding member 20 has not yet been peeled away fromthe base member 12. As a result, the first and second layers 22, 24 arelaminated to each other via the adhesive layer 26 as described above,and the lidding member 20 is secured to the base member 12. For example,in some embodiments, the lidding member 20 may be heat sealed to thebase member 12, such as in a location corresponding to the perimeterregion 28.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the package 10 in a partially open state, where theuser has, for example, gripped a pull tab 21 of the lidding member 20and proceeded to lift the lidding member 20 away from the base member12. Upon initial peeling of the lidding member 20 away from the basemember 12, an adhered portion 30 of the first layer 22 aligned with thefirst compartment 14 is peeled away with the second layer 24 (e.g., itremains attached to the second layer via the adhesive layer 26), suchthat the first compartment 14 is opened and the user can access theitems held in the first compartment. At the same time, an independentlypeelable portion 35 of the first layer 22 aligned with the secondcompartment 16 is separated from the second layer 24 and remainsattached to a sealing surface 40 of the base member 12 around the secondcompartment 16 to maintain the second compartment in a sealedconfiguration.

In this regard, the sealing surface 40 of the base member 12 may be asurface that extends at least partially around each of the first andsecond compartments 14, 16, such that the lidding member 20 may beplaced in contact with the sealing surface and heat sealed to secure thelidding member to the base member. In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 1A-4B, the sealing surface 40 may be the thickness of a sidewallof the base member 12. In other embodiments, however, the sealingsurface 40 may be a flange extending from the sidewall perpendicularlyinward with respect to the respective compartment and/or perpendicularlyoutward with respect to the respective compartment, similar to theconfiguration of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-8B, described below.

Accordingly, once the lidding member 20 has been initially peeled awayfrom the base member 12 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the user can haveaccess to contents stored in the first compartment 14; however, thesecond compartment 16 remains in a sealed configuration until theindependently peelable portion 35 is removed. Turning to FIGS. 3A and3B, the independently peelable portion 35 of the first layer 22 may thusbe configured to be peeled away from the base member 12 independently ofthe adhered portion 30 of the first layer to provide access to thesecond compartment 16 subsequent to peeling away of the second layer 24(e.g., by peeling off the lidding member 20 as described above).

For example, the independently peelable portion 35 of the first layer 22may be defined by a cut line 50 that extends through the first layer(shown in FIG. 1B). With respect to this and other embodiments describedherein, as used herein, the term cut line refers to a cut line that maybe a cut that is mechanically formed (e.g., a die cut made by a blade),made by a laser (such as a laser score line), or made in any othersuitable manner. In some embodiment, such as the embodiments describedherein, the cut line may be a rear cut line (e.g., a cut line that isformed on one side of the lidding member 20 only, such as the side thatis later attached to the base member 12). By forming a cut line in thismanner (e.g., on the first layer side of the lidding member), one ormore barrier films may be used as the second layer 24, where suchbarrier films would remain intact and untouched by the rear cut lines,thereby increasing the structural integrity of the package.

The independently peelable portion 35 of the first layer 22 (e.g., anedge of the independently peelable portion) may further be heat sealedto the sealing surface 40 of the base member 12 around a perimeter ofthe second compartment 16. The cut line 50 may, in some embodiments, bedisposed proximate (e.g., as close to as practically possible) an outeredge 41 of the sealing surface 40 of the second compartment, such thatthe inertia of the user's pulling up on the lidding member 20 as shownin FIG. 2A, coupled with the seal force between the sealing surface 40around the second compartment 16 and the corresponding edge region ofindependently peelable portion 35, causes the independently peelableportion 35 to delaminate from the second layer 24 of the lidding member20 and remain sealed to the base member 12. Moreover, in some cases, thecut line 50 defining the independently peelable portion 35 may furtherdefine a pull tab 36 of the independently peelable portion of the firstlayer 22, as shown in FIG. 3A. The pull tab 36 may be configured to begrippable by the user for peeling away the independently peelableportion 35 from the base member 12.

Similarly, the adhered portion 30 of the first layer 22 may be definedby a cut line 55 that extends through the first layer, as shown in FIG.1B. The cut line 55 may be disposed proximate (e.g., as close to aspractically possible) an inner edge 42 of the sealing surface 40 of thefirst compartment(s) 14, and in some cases the cut line 55 may at leastpartially overlap or be part of the cut line 50 defining theindependently peelable portion 35. In this way, the inertia of theuser's pulling up on the lidding member 20 as shown in FIG. 2A may causethe adhered portion 30 to remain laminated to the second layer 24 of thelidding member 20, thereby uncovering the first compartment 14.

The lidding member 20 may be configured to be re-sealable to the basemember 12 via the PSA in the perimeter region 28 of the lidding memberto re-close both the first and the second compartments 14, 16 forstoring items therein, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In some embodiments,for example, the PSA may serve to re-seal the lidding member 20 to thesealing surface 40 of the base member 12 along the perimeter region 28,thereby covering all of the compartments 14, 16 at the same time. Inother embodiments, such as where a pull tab 21 of the lidding member 20is provided with an undercut 57 (shown in FIG. 3C) through the firstlayer 22, a residual portion 32 of the first layer 22 that is heatsealed to the sealing surface 40 of the base member 12 may remainadhered to the base member, as best shown in FIG. 2B. In such cases, theresidual portion 32, by virtue of the undercut 57 defining the pull tab21, may delaminate from the second layer 24 and remain with the sealingsurface 40 of the base member 12. As the user continues peeling thelidding member 20, the cut line 55 defining the adhered portion, shownin FIG. 1B, may cause the adhered portion 30 to lift up with the secondlayer 24 and remain with the lidding member, thereby uncovering thefirst compartment 14. When the peeling reaches the second compartment16, shown in FIG. 2A, for example, the independently peelable portion 35may remain heat sealed to the base member 12 as described above, therebymaintaining the second compartment 16 in a sealed condition. In thedepicted embodiment, where another first compartment 14 is shown, thecut line 50 may cause the respective adhered portion 30 to remain withthe lidding member 20 as it continues to be peeled, thereby opening therespective other first compartment 14.

In some cases, the package 10 may be configured so as to keep thelidding member 20 attached to the package at one edge or a portion of anedge, so as to facilitate re-alignment of the lidding member with thesealing surface 40 when the lidding member 20 is used to re-seal thepackage (e.g., after the independently peelable portion 35 is removed).For example, the cut line 55 formed in the first layer 22 that allowsthe lidding member 20 to be peeled back may, at an end of the package 10opposite the pull tab 21, for example, be discontinuous (e.g., notdefine a closed shape of the respective adhered portion 30 so as toprevent or at least make it more difficult to completely remove thelidding member 20 as the lidding member is peeled back. In some cases,for example, the cut line 55 may comprise free ends at the end of thepackage 10 where the lidding member 20 is to remain attached, and thefree ends may define “J”-hooks (e.g., may be curved outwardly, towardsan outer edge of the package).

In some embodiments, the adhesion of the adhered portion(s) 30 and thedelamination of the independently peelable portion(s) 35 may befacilitated through the use of different types of adhesives in theadhesive layer 26 (FIG. 1B). For example, in some embodiments, theadhesive layer 26 may entirely or nearly entirely consist of PSA (e.g.,by flood coating with PSA) and the independently peelable portion 35 mayremain attached to the base member 12 because the force of the heat sealon the independently peelable portion is stronger than the adhesiveforce of the PSA. In other cases, however, the adhesive layer 26 maycomprise an area void of adhesive between the second layer 24 and theindependently peelable portion 35 of the first layer 22. In this way,because there is no adhesive in the area bounded by the cut line 50defining the independently peelable portion 35, for example, theindependently peelable portion 35 may encounter no adhesive forceskeeping that portion with the rest of the lidding member 20. The PSA insuch cases may be pattern printed on the respective surface of the firstlayer 22 and/or the second layer 24.

Similarly, in contrast with embodiments in which the adhesive layer 26comprises flood-coated PSA, including in between the second layer 24 andthe adhered portion 30 of the first layer 22, in other cases theadhesive layer may comprise an area of permanent adhesive between thesecond layer and the adhered portion of the first layer. Because thepermanent adhesive has a stronger adhesive force than the surroundingPSA and/or areas void of adhesive, the adhered portion 30 of the firstlayer 22 may be urged to remain with the lidding member 20 as the userpeels the lidding member off the base member 12. Permanent adhesive mayalso be used in the area of the pull tab 21 in some embodiments tomaintain the first layer 22 with the second layer 24. In suchembodiments, the PSA and permanent adhesive may be pattern printed ontothe respective surface of the first layer 22 and/or the second layer 24.

In some embodiments, the independently peelable portion 35 may comprisea visual indication of a sealed state of the second compartment 16, suchthat, upon removal of the independently peelable portion from the basemember 12, the visual indication of the sealed state of the secondcompartment is removed. For example, the visual indication may be aprinted indicia, such as a word or an image that indicates the sealedstate of the second compartment 16. In the depicted embodiment as shownin FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3A, for example, the word “SEALED” is printed on asurface of the first layer in a location corresponding to theindependently peelable portion 35. The second layer 24, for example, maybe made of a transparent material, such that the visual indication(e.g., the word “SEALED) on the independently peelable portion 35 can beseen through the second layer by the user, before the lidding member 20is peeled away. In this way, the user knows that the independentlypeelable portion 35 is in place and the corresponding second compartment16 has not yet been opened (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). After the liddingmember 20 has been lifted up by the user (FIGS. 2A and 2B), the user mayremove the independently peelable portion 35 as described above (FIGS.3A and 3B). In so doing, the visual indication (e.g., the word “SEALED”)is also removed, and if the user chooses to re-seal the compartments 14,16 by adhering the lidding member 20 back onto the sealing surface 40 ofthe base member 12 (e.g., via the PSA), as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, thevisual indication will no longer be visible to the user, and the userwill know that the corresponding second compartment 16 has been openedand is no longer “sealed.” In this way, the visual indication may serveas a form of tamper evidence to the user, its presence indicating asealed (untampered) state of the second compartment 16 and its absenceindicating an unsealed state of the second compartment.

Turning now to FIGS. 5A-8B, a single-compartment embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. Similar to the multiple-compartmentembodiment described above, FIGS. 5A-8B depict a package 100 comprisinga base member 112 defining a compartment 114 and also comprising alidding member 120 configured to cover the compartment. The base member112 may comprise a sealing surface 140 configured to be sealed to thelidding member 120. The sealing surface 140 may, for example, be formedby an inner flange 162 and an outer flange 164, as shown in FIG. 5B.Moreover, the sealing surface 140 may define a channel 166 between theinner flange 162 and the outer flange 164. In this regard, working fromthe compartment 114 outward would be the inner flange 162 most proximatethe compartment, then the channel 166, then the outer flange 164 on theother side of the channel from the inner flange. The outer flange 164may thus define an exterior edge 168, where the exterior edge of theouter flange also serves as the outermost edge of the base member 112,as depicted. The lidding member 120 may comprise a first layer 122 and asecond layer 124 laminated to the first layer via an adhesive layer 126,wherein the adhesive layer comprises at least a pressure sensitiveadhesive (PSA) in a perimeter region 128 of the lidding member, alignedwith the outer flange 164 of the sealing surface 140 of the base member112.

In some embodiments, the lidding member 120 may define a pull tab 121extending outwardly from the exterior edge 168 of the outer flange 164.The pull tab 121 may thus be configured to be grippable by a user forpeeling away the lidding member 120 from the base member 112.

Upon initial peeling of the lidding member 120 away from the base member112 by a user, such as via the pull tab 121 in the depicted embodiment,an adhered portion 130 of the first layer 122 aligned with the channel166 may be configured to be peeled away with the second layer 124, asshown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. At the same time, an independently peelableportion 135 of the first layer 122 aligned with the compartment 114 maybe configured to separate from the second layer 124 and remain attachedto the inner flange 162 of the sealing surface 140 of the base member112 to maintain the compartment 114 in a sealed configuration. Forexample, in some embodiments, the independently peelable portion 135 ofthe first layer 122 may be heat sealed to the inner flange 162 of thesealing surface 140 of the base member 112 around a perimeter of thecompartment 114.

In this regard, the independently peelable portion 135 of the firstlayer 122 may be configured to be peeled away from the inner flange 162of the sealing surface 140 of the base member 112 independently of theadhered portion 130 of the first layer 122 to provide access to thecompartment subsequent to peeling away of the second layer 124, as shownin FIGS. 7A and 7B. The independently peelable portion 135 of the firstlayer 122 may, in some embodiments, be defined by a cut line 150 thatextends through the first layer 122 and is disposed proximate (as closeto as practically possible) an outer edge 163 of the inner flange 162,as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B. The cut line 150 defining the independentlypeelable portion 135 may, in some embodiments, further define a pull tab136 of the independently peelable portion, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A.The pull tab 136 may be configured to be grippable by a user for peelingaway the independently peelable portion 135 from the base member 112, asdescribed above with respect to other embodiments.

The adhered portion 130, in turn, may be defined by two cut lines thatextend through the first layer 122 and are disposed proximatecorresponding edges of the channel 166 defined by the sealing surface140 of the base member 112. For example, with reference to FIG. 5B, thecut line 150 defining the independently peelable portion 135 may definean innermost edge of the adhered portion 130 (e.g., the edge closest tothe compartment 114) and may be disposed as close as possible (givenengineering and manufacturing tolerances) to the corresponding innermostedge of the channel 166. A cut line 155 may likewise define an outermostedge of the adhered portion 130 (e.g., the edge closest to thecompartment 114) and may be disposed as close as possible to thecorresponding outermost edge of the channel 166. As described above withrespect to the multiple-compartment embodiment of FIGS. 1A-4B, theprovision of cut lines 150, 155 and their location with respect to theedges formed by the sealing surface 140 may thus serve to facilitate theadhesion of the adhered portion 130 to the second layer 122 of thelidding member 120 and the delamination of the independently peelableportion 135 from the second layer 122 of the lidding member.

The lidding member 120 may further be configured to be resealable to atleast the outer flange 164 of the sealing surface 140 (shown in FIGS. 7Aand 7B) of the base member 112 via the PSA in the perimeter region 128of the lidding member to re-close the compartment 114 for storing itemstherein. The re-closed package is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. In someembodiments, as described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS.1A-4B, the PSA may serve to re-seal the lidding member 120 to thesealing surface 140 of the base member 112 along the perimeter region128, thereby re-closing the compartment 114. In other embodiments, suchas where a pull tab 121 of the lidding member 120 is provided with anundercut 157 (shown in FIG. 5B) through the first layer 122, a residualportion 132 of the first layer 122 that is heat sealed to the outerflange 164 of the sealing surface 140 of the base member 112 may remainadhered to the base member, as best shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B. In suchcases, the residual portion 132, by virtue of the undercut 157 definingthe pull tab 121, may delaminate from the second layer 124 and remainwith the outer flange 164. As the user continues peeling the liddingmember 120, the cut line 155 defining the outermost edge of the adheredportion 130, shown in FIG. 5B, may cause the adhered portion 130 to liftup with the second layer 124 and remain with the lidding member, therebyuncovering the channel 166. As the lidding member 120 is peeled further,the independently peelable portion 135 remains heat sealed to the basemember 112 as described above, thereby maintaining the compartment 114in a sealed condition.

In some embodiments, the adhesion of the adhered portion 130 and thedelamination of the independently peelable portion 135 may befacilitated through the use of different types of adhesives in theadhesive layer 126 (FIG. 5B). For example, while in some embodiments theadhesive layer 126 may entirely or nearly entirely consist of PSA (e.g.,by flood coating with PSA), as illustrated in the depicted embodiment,in other cases the adhesive layer 126 may comprise an area void ofadhesive between the second layer 124 and the independently peelableportion 135 of the first layer 122, as illustrated with respect to theembodiment of FIGS. 1A-4B. In this way, because there is no adhesive inthe area bounded by the cut line 150 defining the independently peelableportion 135, for example, the independently peelable portion 135 mayencounter no adhesive forces keeping that portion with the rest of thelidding member 120. The PSA in such cases may be pattern printed on therespective surface of the first layer 122 and/or the second layer 124.

Similarly, in contrast with embodiments in which the adhesive layer 126comprises flood-coated PSA, including in between the second layer 124and the adhered portion 130 of the first layer 122, in other cases theadhesive layer may comprise an area of permanent adhesive between thesecond layer and the adhered portion of the first layer (e.g., a stripof permanent adhesive corresponding to the shape of the adheredportion). Because the permanent adhesive has a stronger adhesive forcethan the surrounding PSA and/or areas void of adhesive, the adheredportion 130 of the first layer 122 may be urged to remain with thelidding member 120 as the user peels the lidding member off the basemember 112. Permanent adhesive may also be used in the area of the pulltab 121 in some embodiments to maintain the first layer 122 with thesecond layer 124. In such embodiments, the PSA and permanent adhesivemay be pattern printed onto the respective surface of the first layer122 and/or the second layer 124.

In some embodiments, the independently peelable portion 135 may comprisea visual indication of a sealed state of the compartment 114, such that,upon removal of the independently peelable portion from the base member112, the visual indication of the sealed state of the compartment isremoved. For example, the visual indication may be a printed indicia,such as a word or an image that indicates the sealed state of thecompartment 114. In the depicted embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5A, 6A,and 7A, for example, the word “SEALED” is printed on a surface of thefirst layer 122 in a location corresponding to the independentlypeelable portion 135. The second layer 124, for example, may be made ofa transparent material, such that the visual indication (e.g., the word“SEALED) on the independently peelable portion 135 can be seen throughthe second layer by the user, before the lidding member 120 is peeledaway. In this way, the user knows that the independently peelableportion 135 is in place and the compartment 114 has not yet been opened(see FIGS. 5A and 5B). After the lidding member 120 has been lifted upby the user (FIGS. 6A and 6B), the user may remove the independentlypeelable portion 135 as described above (FIGS. 7A and 7B). In so doing,the visual indication (e.g., the word “SEALED”) is also removed, and ifthe user chooses to re-seal the compartment 114 by adhering the liddingmember 120 back onto the sealing surface 140 (e.g., the inner flange 162and/or the outer flange 164) of the base member 112 (e.g., via the PSA),as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the visual indication will no longer bevisible to the user, and the user will know that the compartment 114 hasbeen opened and is no longer “sealed.” In this way, the visualindication may serve as a form of tamper evidence to the user, itspresence indicating a sealed (untampered) state of the compartment 114and its absence indicating an unsealed state of the compartment.

With respect to the embodiments described above in connection with FIGS.1A-4B and FIGS. 5A-8B, various types of materials may be selected forforming the base member 12, 112 and the lidding member 20, 120. In someembodiments, for example, the base member 12, 112 may be a thermoformedplastic, such as Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) plastic. In othercases, the base member 12 may be formed of a low density polyethylene(LDPE) material, a high impact polystyrene (HIPS) material, apolyethylene (PE) emulsion, or other compatible material or combinationsthereof. The first layer 22, 122 of the lidding member 20, 120 maycomprise a material selected to facilitate sealing of the lidding member20, 120 to the sealing surface 40, 140 of the base member. For example,when the base member comprises polypropylene (PP), the first layer 22,122 of the lidding member 20, 120 may, in turn, also comprise a form ofPP to facilitate sealing of the lidding member to the sealing surface40, 140 of the base member 12, 112 (e.g., via heat sealing as describedabove). For example, the lidding member 20, 120 may comprise castpolypropylene (CPP), oriented polypropylene (OPP), or metalized orientedpolypropylene (mOPP), among other materials. The second layer 24, 124may comprise polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or one or more barrierfilms in some embodiments. In some cases, the second layer 24, 124 mayfurther include a primer. Furthermore, in some embodiments (not shown),an ink layer may be printed on an inner surface of the second layer 24,124, between the adhesive layer 26, 126 and the second layer. Forexample, various graphics or high resolution printing techniques may beused, both on the lidding member as a whole (e.g., the second layer 24,124) and/or on the independently peelable portion 35, 135 to provide thevisual indication of the sealed state of the compartment covered by theindependently peelable portion.

Embodiments of the present invention may, in some cases, be used in trayand flow-wrap applications, such as when the lidding member 20, 120 isheat sealed to the base member 20, 120 and an outer die cut is createdto trim the lidding member to the base member. In one or more of theembodiments described herein, a heat seal die may be used to create aheat seal between the lidding member 20, 120 and the outside perimeterof the package as a whole, as well as a heat seal between theindependently peelable portion 35, 135 and the perimeter of theparticular compartment covered by the independently peelable portion.

In addition to the different embodiments of packages described abovewith respect to FIGS. 1A-8B, embodiments of a method of manufacturing apackage are also provided. Embodiments of the method include forming abase member having at least one compartment, the base member comprisinga sealing surface, and forming a lidding member configured to cover thefirst compartment by laminating a first layer to a second layer via anadhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer comprises at least a pressuresensitive adhesive (PSA) in a perimeter region of the lidding member. Acut line may be created through the first layer such that the cut linedefines an adhered portion of the first layer configured to be peeledaway with the second layer and an independently peelable portion of thefirst layer configured to separate from the second layer and remainattached to the sealing surface of the base member to maintain thecompartment in a sealed configuration. The lidding member may be heatsealed to the base member at a location corresponding to the perimeterregion, such that the lidding member covers the compartment andmaintains the item within the base member.

The independently peelable portion of the first layer may be configuredto be peeled away from the sealing surface of the base memberindependently of the adhered portion of the first layer to provideaccess to the compartment subsequent to peeling away of the secondlayer. Moreover, the lidding member may be configured to be re-sealableto the sealing surface of the base member via the PSA in the perimeterregion of the lidding member to re-close the compartment for storingitems therein, as described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS.1A-8B above.

In some embodiments, forming the base member may comprise forming a basemember further having first and second compartments (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 1A-4B), and the lidding member may be configured to cover thefirst and second compartments. The adhered portion of the first layer insuch embodiments may be aligned with the first compartment(s) and may beconfigured to be peeled away with the second layer to provide access tothe first compartment(s). The independently peelable portion of thefirst layer, in turn, may be aligned with the second compartment and maybe configured to separate from the second layer and remain attached tothe sealing surface of the base member around the second compartment tomaintain the second compartment in a sealed configuration.

In other embodiments, such as depicted in and described with respect toFIGS. 5A-8B, forming the base member may comprise defining an innerflange and an outer flange of the sealing surface by defining a channelin the sealing surface between the inner and outer flanges. The adheredportion of the first layer may be aligned with the channel and may beconfigured to be peeled away with the second layer. The independentlypeelable portion of the first layer may be aligned with the compartmentand may be configured to separate from the second layer and remainattached to the inner flange of the sealing surface of the base memberto maintain the compartment in a sealed configuration. The method mayfurther include heat sealing the independently peelable portion of thefirst layer to the inner flange of the sealing surface of the basemember around a perimeter of the compartment.

In still other embodiments, as described above, the method may furthercomprise applying a visual indication of a sealed state of therespective compartment on the independently peelable portion, such that,upon removal of the independently peelable portion from the base member,the visual indication of the sealed state of the compartment covered bythe independently peelable portion is removed.

As noted above, some of the figures described above have been simplifiedfor purposes of explanation, such that not all portions of thecomponents, including portions of the base member, first and secondlayers of the lidding member, die cuts, adhesive layers, stored items,etc. are shown. It is understood that portions of these components maybe configured to impart additional desirable qualities to the package,such as to facilitate opening and closure of the package,re-sealability, barrier properties, etc.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A package comprising: a base member defining afirst compartment and a second compartment, the base member comprising asealing surface at least partially around each of the first and secondcompartments; and a lidding member configured to cover the first andsecond compartments, the lidding member comprising a first layer and asecond layer laminated to the first layer via an adhesive layer, whereinthe adhesive layer comprises at least a pressure sensitive adhesive(PSA) in a perimeter region of the lidding member, wherein, upon initialpeeling of the lidding member away from the base member, an adheredportion of the first layer aligned with the first compartment isconfigured to be peeled away with the second layer to provide access tothe first compartment while an independently peelable portion of thefirst layer aligned with the second compartment is configured toseparate from the second layer and remain attached to the sealingsurface of the base member around the second compartment to maintain thesecond compartment in a sealed configuration, wherein the independentlypeelable portion of the first layer is configured to be peeled away fromthe base member independently of the adhered portion of the first layerto provide access to the second compartment subsequent to peeling awayof the second layer, and wherein the lidding member is configured to bere-sealable to the base member via the PSA in the perimeter region ofthe lidding member to re-close both the first and the secondcompartments for storing items therein.
 2. The package of claim 1,wherein the independently peelable portion of the first layer is heatsealed to the sealing surface of the base member around a perimeter ofthe second compartment.
 3. The package of claim 2, wherein theindependently peelable portion of the first layer is defined by a cutline that extends through the first layer.
 4. The package of claim 3,wherein the cut line further defines a pull tab of the independentlypeelable portion of the first layer that is configured to be grippableby a user for peeling away the independently peelable portion from thebase member.
 5. The package of claim 1, wherein the adhered portion ofthe first layer is defined by a cut line that extends through the firstlayer.
 6. The package of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer comprisesan area void of adhesive between the second layer and the independentlypeelable portion of the first layer.
 7. The package of claim 1, whereinthe adhesive layer comprises an area of permanent adhesive between thesecond layer and the adhered portion of the first layer.
 8. The packageof claim 1, wherein the independently peelable portion comprises avisual indication of a sealed state of the second compartment, suchthat, upon removal of the independently peelable portion from the basemember, the visual indication of the sealed state of the secondcompartment is removed.
 9. A method of manufacturing a package, themethod comprising: forming a base member having a compartment, the basemember comprising a sealing surface; forming a lidding member configuredto cover the compartment by laminating a first layer to a second layervia an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer comprises at least apressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) in a perimeter region of the liddingmember; creating a cut line through the first layer such that the cutline defines an adhered portion of the first layer configured to bepeeled away with the second layer and an independently peelable portionof the first layer configured to separate from the second layer andremain attached to the sealing surface of the base member to maintainthe compartment in a sealed configuration; heat sealing the liddingmember to the base member at a location corresponding to the perimeterregion, such that the lidding member covers the compartment andmaintains the item within the base member, wherein the independentlypeelable portion of the first layer is configured to be peeled away fromthe sealing surface of the base member independently of the adheredportion of the first layer to provide access to the compartmentsubsequent to peeling away of the second layer, and wherein the liddingmember is configured to be re-sealable to the sealing surface of thebase member via the PSA in the perimeter region of the lidding member tore-close the compartment for storing items therein.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein forming the base member comprises forming a base memberfurther having first and second compartments, wherein the lidding memberis configured to cover the first and second compartments, wherein theadhered portion of the first layer is aligned with the first compartmentand is configured to be peeled away with the second layer to provideaccess to the first compartment while the independently peelable portionof the first layer is aligned with the second compartment and isconfigured to separate from the second layer and remain attached to thesealing surface of the base member around the second compartment tomaintain the second compartment in a sealed configuration.
 11. Themethod of claim 9, wherein forming the base member comprises defining aninner flange and an outer flange of the sealing surface by defining achannel in the sealing surface between the inner and outer flanges,wherein the adhered portion of the first layer is aligned with thechannel and is configured to be peeled away with the second layer whilethe independently peelable portion of the first layer is aligned withthe compartment and is configured to separate from the second layer andremain attached to the inner flange of the sealing surface of the basemember to maintain the compartment in a sealed configuration, the methodfurther comprising heat sealing the independently peelable portion ofthe first layer to the inner flange of the sealing surface of the basemember around a perimeter of the compartment.
 12. The method of claim 11further comprising applying a visual indication of a sealed state of thecompartment on the independently peelable portion, such that, uponremoval of the independently peelable portion from the base member, thevisual indication of the sealed state of the compartment is removed.